Arrests may clear heists committed by 'ball-cap bandits'

Published: Thursday, November 29, 2001

MICHAEL GAFFNEYLubbockOnline.com

Lubbock police believe the arrests Wednesday and Thursday of two suspects in a string of at least nine robberies may have solved a series of crimes investigators believe was the work of robbers dubbed the "ball-cap bandits."

Jerome Nelson, 28, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 1900 block of 14th Street, and Jason Lawson, 20, was arrested at 12:58 a.m. Thursday in the 5500 block of Brownfield Road, said Lubbock Police Department spokesman Bill Morgan. Both were arrested for aggravated robbery, he said.

The duo fit descriptions given by multiple witnesses of robbers who wore signature baseball caps during their hold-ups, Morgan said.

Motels and convenience stores were the businesses of choice for the bandits.

Businesses allegedly robbed by the suspects are Bill's Drive In on Clovis Road, McLain Oil at Fourth Street and Indiana Avenue, E-Z Mart at 22nd Street and University Avenue, Town and Country convenience store at Clovis Road and Avenue U, Gristy's Cleaners at 17th Street and Avenue Q, Coronado Inn at the 500 block of Interstate 27, Quik Stop convenience store at 40th Street and Chicago Avenue, a Church's Chicken and the Village Inn motel in the 4900 block of Brownfield Road, Morgan said. The Village Inn was robbed Nov. 25.

"We had photographs of them, and video tape of them from security systems at some of these places," Morgan said. "When I say they've cleared nine cases, that means (investigators) ... have probable cause to believe these two were the perpetrators."

Nelson was arrested without incident, but Lawson attempted to escape, Morgan said.

Police officers, armed with a search warrant and a key to Lawson's apartment, attempted to enter the residence at 11:27 p.m. Wednesday, he said.

"They had been given a key that fit two locks, but there was a deadbolt on the inside," Morgan said. "They requested the mobile operations vehicle  used as a command post, and some SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) officers were at the scene in case a problem developed."

While investigators were trying to gain entry to the apartment, "Lawson bailed out the (ground-floor) window and a chase started at about 12:41 a.m.," Morgan said.

Lawson ran east on 43rd Street, headed west down an alley near Brownfield Road, and was captured in the 5500 block of Brownfield Road, Morgan said.

"The entire operation was closed at 1:17 a.m., and Lawson was processed through at about 6:30 a.m.," he said.

Both men are in the Lubbock County Jail awaiting arraignment, Morgan said.